PENN Entertainment Schedules Hollywood Casino Aurora Riverboat Closure Ahead of New Land-Based Facility Opening

PENN Entertainment has set a firm timeline for the Hollywood Casino Aurora riverboat to close on June 10, 2026, and the company will follow that date with the grand opening of a new permanent land-based casino on June 24, 2026. The $360 million project replaces the existing riverboat operation with a larger facility built on land in Aurora, Illinois. This sequence allows the operator to maintain continuous gaming services in the market while shifting from a floating venue to a fixed structure. The closure date marks the final day of operations for the riverboat, after which staff will complete the transition to the new site. Construction of the land-based casino has been underway, and the two-week gap between closure and opening provides time for final preparations, staff training, and regulatory inspections. Aurora city officials and the Illinois Gaming Board have coordinated with PENN Entertainment throughout the permitting process to ensure compliance with state gaming regulations.

Timeline and Investment Details

The announcement outlines a precise fourteen-day window that begins with the riverboat shutdown and ends with the new facility's debut. During this period the company will move gaming equipment, complete interior finishing work, and conduct safety checks required before public access begins. The $360 million investment covers the full scope of the land-based build, including expanded gaming floors, additional dining options, and upgraded parking infrastructure designed to handle increased visitor volume.

State records show that the Illinois Gaming Board reviewed and approved the relocation plans, confirming that the new casino meets all licensing standards for permanent land-based operations. The move aligns with broader state policies that have encouraged operators to replace older riverboat venues with modern facilities when local markets support such upgrades.

Operational Transition Process

Employees currently working on the riverboat will transfer to the land-based casino once it opens. PENN Entertainment has stated that the company will retain its existing workforce and provide training on the new property's systems before the June 24 opening. The transition plan includes phased equipment relocation so that essential gaming devices can be installed and tested in advance of the public launch.

Local suppliers and vendors have received advance notice of the schedule so they can adjust delivery routes and service agreements. The riverboat's final operating day on June 10 will feature standard gaming hours, after which the vessel will be taken out of service. City permits allow the new structure to open two weeks later, giving crews enough time to finalize landscaping and exterior signage around the permanent facility.

Regulatory and Community Coordination

According to information released through Casino Vendor News, the Illinois Gaming Board conducted multiple site visits during construction to verify that the land-based casino satisfies all technical and security requirements. Aurora municipal departments have also reviewed traffic management plans and utility connections to support the larger building footprint.

Community meetings held in Aurora earlier this year provided residents with updates on expected changes in visitor patterns once the permanent facility opens. The new casino will occupy a site that offers direct road access, eliminating the need for water-based docking procedures that the riverboat required. This shift is expected to simplify logistics for both guests and staff.

Facility Specifications

The land-based casino will feature a larger gaming area than the riverboat currently provides, along with expanded food and beverage outlets. Architectural plans submitted to the city describe a multi-story structure designed to accommodate higher daily attendance while maintaining compliance with state-mandated responsible gaming measures. The $360 million budget includes technology upgrades such as modern surveillance systems and cashless payment options that were not feasible on the floating venue.

Once the June 24 opening occurs, the riverboat will no longer serve as a gaming platform. PENN Entertainment will complete any required environmental assessments for the vessel as part of standard decommissioning procedures. The company has coordinated these steps with both state regulators and local authorities to ensure all obligations are met before the property changes function.

Conclusion

The scheduled closure on June 10, 2026, followed by the opening on June 24, 2026, represents a straightforward relocation from a riverboat to a permanent land-based casino in Aurora. The $360 million investment covers the new facility's construction and equipping, while regulatory approvals from the Illinois Gaming Board have already been secured. This timeline keeps the market supplied with continuous gaming options and positions the operator to operate from a modern, fixed-location property starting in late June 2026.